Tiger may roar now that he's not No. 1

We all saw it coming. For months now, the fight for golf's No. 1
ranking had been staged in PGA Tour battles far and wide. While one
man slowly chipped away at what once seemed to be an insurmountable
lead, the other tried desperately to rekindle the flame that had
created his invincibility in the first place.

But, alas, Tiger Woods is no longer at the top of the
mountain.

Vijay Singh officially has won the war. And deservedly so. The
41-year-old from Fiji has 10 PGA Tour victories since the start of
the 2003 season, including last month's PGA Championship. Tiger,
meanwhile, has six wins, but only one this year -- the Accenture
Match Play Championship at La Costa Resort and Spa.

So where does golf go from here? After all, it's been more than
five years since the Official World Golf Ranking had someone other
than Tiger on top.

To be exact, it was 264 weeks ago when he assumed the position
for what turned out to be a record-setting run. How long ago was
it? Monica Lewinsky was still a household name, Y2K actually meant
something, and the Backstreet Boys were considered cool.

But it wasn't so long ago when Tiger was winning everything. He
won five straight player of the year awards and four consecutive
money titles. He won seven of 11 major championships, prompting
more than a few to question the heart of his competitors.

That's all changed now, so maybe there's a more appropriate
question to be asked: Where does Tiger go from here? It's safe to
say that we haven't seen the last of him. I would venture to guess
that this shift in power actually might put more of a fire in
him.

When he was younger, it seemed that everything came so easily to
him and that his competitors bowed to his mere presence on the golf
course. That no longer being the case, the 28-year-old may become
more determined than ever to show the world that he truly is the
best player in the game.

Considering how the ranking works, Tiger's going to need all the
gumption he can muster. Remember how long it took for Singh to
finally secure the No. 1 spot? It took so long because the system
gives credit for 24 months of playing history. So looking to 2005,
Tiger's going to be fighting an uphill battle because of Singh's
six-win season in 2004.

Tough as it may be, Tiger will be fine. He has at least 15 years
of PGA Tour golf left, giving him plenty of time for more
greatness. He just has company now, that's all.

Chip shots

The Carlsbad Golf Center will be hosting its Fall Demo Day from
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. More than 25 vendors are expected to
attend. Prizes will be given away for those in attendance and
customers are encouraged to bring their trade-in clubs in exchange
for discounts on close-out equipment. Additionally, the American
Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at the event with donors receiving a
free large bucket of range balls. For more information, call the
pro shop at (760) 720-4653 or visit www.thecarlsbadgolfcenter.com.
The facility is off Highway 78 at 2711 Haymar Drive.

In an effort to bring more families together on the golf
course, JC Golf is forming parent-junior golf leagues at three of
its properties. Beginning Sept. 19 and continuing every Sunday
through Nov. 21, Reidy Creek, Temecula Creek Inn and The Auld
Course will host the leagues, which will feature nine holes of
competition starting at 2 p.m. Participants do not need to play
every week, but juniors earn points every time they play. Points
can be redeemed for free rounds of golf and gift certificates.
Entry fees range from $22 to $30 per team, depending on the course.
There also is a one-time $30 registration fee. For more information
visit www.jcgolf.com.

The Barona $1 Million Hole-in-One Shootout begins Sept. 15 and
will run through Sept. 24 at Stadium Golf Center in Mission Valley.
From 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, golfers of all ages and skill levels pay
$1 per ball and take a chance at making a hole-in-one or coming
closest to the pin to qualify for the $1 million final shootout at
Barona Creek Golf Club on Sept. 27. The top 10 golfers each day win
prizes. The Shootout is a fund-raiser for the non-profit Pacific
Life Holiday Bowl. For more information, visit
www.pacificlifeholidaybowl.com or call (619) 283-5808.

Pro's tip

Pro: Shay Blechynden

Facility: Carlsbad Golf Center

Phone: (760) 720-4653

Match Play Strategy

It's Ryder Cup time again and that means Match Play, the most
common form of play in a one-on-one style competition. Instead of
keeping track of your total score (stroke or medal play), you score
by winning (or losing) holes.

Don't play for high stakes unless you are very comfortable with
who you are playing against. If your opponent is a 10-handicap who
has shot 73 and 75 in his past two rounds, then you should adjust
for his recent stellar play. He is on a hot streak and will beat
you if you give him his full handicap. When your opponent hits out
of bounds or into serious trouble, change your game plan. For
instance: your opponent hit out of bounds on a short par ; he will
make double bogey or worse. Put away your driver and hit a safer
club off the tee. All you need is bogey to win the hole.

Frequently during match play you will need to adjust your
putting touch for the situation at hand. Sometimes the smart play
is that you need only two putts to win the hole. Often you might
need a one-putt to win. Don't be short! Pick a straighter, more
aggressive line and be sure you hit it hard enough to get it to the
hole. This is a "do or die" putt. A 3 putt means nothing so don't
worry about the comeback putt.

More than anything, don't give up. I have beat many players when
I was down in the match and not playing well. I have also been beat
by many players who I thought I had licked. Beware of the wounded,
cornered dog. The greatest thing about match play is that you can
make a 12 on a hole and it means nothing. You only lose one hole.
Your total score is irrelevant.

Shay Blechynden is the head professional at the Carlsbad Golf
Center. For more of his tips, go to www.shaygolf.com.

In the tee box

PGA

CANADIAN OPEN

Site: Oakville, Ontario

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday

Television: ESPN

Notes: Fresh off taking over the No. 1 world ranking Vijay
Singh tops the field, which also includes U.S. Ryder Cup players
Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III, Kenny Perry, Chad Campbell, Chris
DiMarco, Fred Funk and Stewart Cink. … Tiger Woods, the 2000 winner
at Glen Abbey, is skipping the tournament for the third straight
year.

LPGA

JOHN Q. HAMMONS HOTEL CLASSIC

Site: Broken Arrow, Okla.

Schedule: Friday-Sunday

Television: The Golf Channel

Notes: Annika Sorenstam, the 2002 winner at Tulsa Country Club,
is making her first LPGA Tour start since the Women's British Open
in late July. … Defending champion Karrie Webb won the
Kellogg-Keebler Classic in June for her 30th LPGA Tour title.

CHAMPIONS

KROGER CLASSIC

Site: Maineville, Ohio

Schedule: Friday-Sunday

Television: The Golf Channel

Notes: The event moved to the Arnold Palmer-designed River's
Bend two years ago after 12 years at the Jack Nicklaus Sports
Center's Grizzly Course.

PGA EUROPEAN

GERMAN MASTERS

Site: Pulheim, Germany.

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday

Television: The Golf Channel

Notes: European Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer, seeking his
fifth victory in the event, is in the field. … S.K. Choi is
skipping the Korean Open to defend his title.

Marc Figueroa covers golf for the North County Times. E-mail him
at
marcfig@aol.com
. The Golf
Gallery appears every Wednesday.